Origin
Camp Verde, AZ
Evening in Camp Verde on Friday
Local time
8:12 PM
MST
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Camp Verde, AZ to Mesa, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
108.2 mi
174 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 57m
8 PM
1h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Camp Verde, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Mesa, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Camp Verde to Mesa covers 108.2 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 42 minutes of driving time. Since this route is well within the range of a single day, you can easily complete it in one trip without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize West General Crook Trail, South Access Road, and I-17 South to navigate between these two Desert Southwest locations. Budgeting around $22 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. This path offers a straightforward transition from the Verde Valley down toward the Phoenix metropolitan area, making it a highly practical connection for your travel plans.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.1 miles from Camp Verde, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
About the Cities
Arriving in Mesa, AZ
Full guide →Mesa, population 518,000 (2019), is in Maricopa County. It is Arizona's third-largest city, and is part of the Greater Phoenix urban complex.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 108.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you transition off the smaller local roads. While this route spans 108.2 miles, it lacks the monotony of a pure interstate grind, favoring a more technical feel instead. You will spend your time navigating a mix of local infrastructure before merging onto I-17 South. Because the highway share is 0% for the initial local segments, the pace is dictated by the winding nature of the regional roads. Stay alert for these frequent directional changes, which provide a different driving experience than a standard high-speed corridor.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West General Crook Trail is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Camp Verde, AZ to Mesa, AZ is easy. At 1h 42m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Camp Verde, AZ to Mesa, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West General Crook Trail | — | — |
| South Access Road | — | — |
| I 17 South | — | — |
| Arizona Veterans Highway | — | — |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | — | — |
| Black Canyon Freeway | — | — |
| North Black Canyon Highway | — | — |
| I 10 East | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
West General Crook Trail
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Camp Verde, AZ and Mesa, AZ.
1
Start on South Main Street
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
South Main Street
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto West General Crook Trail
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West General Crook Trail
3
Turn left onto South Access Road
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South Access Road
4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 17 South
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 17 South
5
Merge slight left onto Arizona Veterans Highway
39 mi
·
39 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
6
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
7
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
8
Continue on North Black Canyon Highway
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Black Canyon Highway
9
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
25 mi
·
28 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles
11
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
12
Merge slight left onto Papago Freeway
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
13
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
14
Continue on Papago Freeway
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
15
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
16
Keep slight right to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Red Mountain Freeway
17
Keep slight left to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Red Mountain Freeway
18
Take the exit slight right toward Alma School Road
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
Alma School Road
19
Turn right onto North Alma School Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
North Alma School Road
20
Turn left onto West University Drive
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
West University Drive
21
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 1 hour and 42 minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal schedule. With no mandatory stops required for a trip of this length, you can easily power through the 108.2-mile stretch in one go. Keep your $22 fuel budget in mind, and consider filling your tank before leaving Camp Verde to avoid any mid-route stress. Because the road includes several turns, it is a good idea to check your navigation apps before you pull out of your driveway to ensure you are ready for the transition onto I-17 South. Staying focused on the local road signage early on will make the rest of your trip to Mesa much smoother.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 54.1 miles from Camp Verde, AZ, or about 51m into the drive.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 24 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.1 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mesa, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Camp Verde, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Camp Verde, AZ
This is one driving day of about 108.2 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Camp Verde, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 54.1 mi from Camp Verde, AZ · 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 54.1 miles from Camp Verde, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Mesa, AZ
The final approach into Mesa, AZ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.55 one way
$43.11 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $22.81 | $45.62 |
| premium | $5.59 | $23.82 | $47.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.89 | $47.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.5 | 0 | $11.36 | $5.19 |
| Efficient EV | 27.1 | 0 | $9.47 | $4.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.3 | 0 | $15.15 | $6.92 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Mesa, AZ
Evening in Mesa on Friday
Local time
8:12 PM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
48 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 42m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Camp Verde, AZ to Mesa, AZ covers 108.2 miles and takes about 1h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West General Crook Trail, South Access Road, I 17 South. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 54.1 miles from Camp Verde, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.55 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Camp Verde, AZ to Mesa, AZ is easy. At 1h 42m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Camp Verde, AZ to Mesa, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Camp Verde, AZ to Mesa, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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